Overview of the work done by the Standing Committee on Official Languages (43rd Parliament)

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• Work during the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session
  • Ongoing studies:
    • Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Government’s Ability to Deliver Information in Both Official Languages
    • Challenges of the Parliamentary Interpretation Service in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
    • Promotion of French in Québec and across Canada
    • Public Reform Document on the Modernization of the Official Languages Act
  • Upcoming studies:
    • Accessing minority language education
  • Past studies:
    • Annual Report 2019-20 of the Commissioner of Official Languages
    • Main Estimates 2020-21: Vote 1 under Commissioner of Official Languages
  • Motion under debate
    • Creation a special committee on WE Charity / UNIS
• Work during the 43rd Parliament, 1st session
  • Studies at time of prorogation
    • Enumeration of right holders
    • Government’s decision to select WE CHARITY to implement the Canada Student Service Grant
    • Protection of linguistic minorities’ rights
    • Commissioner of Official Languages
    • Refusal of a disproportionate number of foreign French-speaking students
    • Institutional bilingualism in Quebec

Work during the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session

Ongoing studies:

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Government’s Ability to Deliver Information in Both Official Languages

• Text of the motion adopted on October 22, 2020: That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the government’s ability to deliver information in both official languages; That the committee also consider how other jurisdictions dealt with the challenges of delivering information to linguistic minority groups, and the impacts on minority language communities; That the committee examine what policies and measures were put in place to help these communities during the pandemic; That the committee report its findings to the House; and that pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request a government response to its report.

Meetings:

• November 26, 2020: Linda Cardinal, Emeritus Professor, University of Ottawa, Stéphanie Chouinard, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Royal Military College of Canada and Department of Political Studies, Queen's University, François Larocque, Professor, Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, University of Ottawa, Martin Normand, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Ottawa
• December 8, 2020: Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages and officials, Association de la presse francophone, General East Island Network for English Language Services, Community Health and Social Services, Public Service Commission
• December 10, 2020: Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario, Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique, Quebec Community Groups Network, Société de l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick
• January 28, 2021: President of the Treasury Board Treasury Board Secretariat and officials, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
• February 23, 2021: Public Service Alliance of Canada, Officials from the Department of Health
• March 25, 2021: Canada Border Services Agency, Ombudsman Ontario, Public Service Alliance of Canada, Société nationale de l’Acadie

Challenges of the Parliamentary Interpretation Service in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Text of the motion adopted on January 26, 2021: Given the worrisome situation raised by the International Association of Conference Interpreters with regards to the chronic shortage of interpreters within the Parliament of Canada, the worsening of their working conditions due to Covid-19 pandemic health protocols and the acoustic shocks reported by 70% of their members due to the “toxic” sound quality of the Zoom platform, and recognizing that interpretation services are essential to the functioning of the Parliament of Canada in both official languages as required by the Constitution Act and the Official Languages Act, that the committee invite to appear:

1. Members of the International Association of Conference Interpreters and other relevant witnesses, at the earliest opportunity, for a briefing to share their concerns; and
2. The Minister of Public Services and Procurement responsible for the Translation Bureau, for a briefing, by Thursday, February 4, 2021 at the latest, to share the government’s recommendations to remedy the situation raised by our parliamentary interpreters;

That two meetings be allocated to this study; and that the committee present a report of its findings to the House.

Meetings:

• February 2, 2021: Association of Conference Interpreters and House of Commons Administration
• February 4, 2021: Christoph Stoll, Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow, Conference Interpreting Program, University of Heidelberg
• February 16, 2021: Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and officials as well as the Translations Bureau
• March 11, 2021: Consideration of the draft report, in camera
• March 23, 2021: Consideration of the draft report, in camera

Promotion of French in Québec and across Canada

• Text of the motion moved by Mario Beaulieu (BQ) on November 24, 2020: That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f), the Committee undertake a study on the measures that the Government of Canada can take to fulfill its responsibility, as set out in the Speech from the Throne, to protect and promote French not only outside Quebec but also within Quebec; that, as part of this study, the Committee:
  1. Provide an objective and detailed portrait of the situation of English and French in Quebec, as well as of francophone and Acadian communities, based on key linguistic indicators, such as French as the mother tongue, main language spoken at home, language shifts, main language of work, and so on;
  2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the government’s language policies, as well as the current role of federal and provincial laws, with respect to the objective of protecting and promoting French as well as the impact of these policies on provincial legislative measures to protect and promote French (particularly the Charter of the French Language in Quebec);
  3. Consider possible amendments to the Official Languages Act to harmonize the government’s commitment to protect French with provincial legislation;

That the Committee allocate a minimum of seven meetings to this study and that these meetings be completed no later than March 1, 2021; that the Committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Government table a comprehensive response.

Meetings:

• February 25, 2021: Association des juristes d’expression française du Nouveau-Brunswick, Impératif français, Hon. Serge Joyal, Jurist and Former Senator, Quebec Community Groups Network
• March 9, 2021: Statistics Canada, Charles Castonguay, Retired Professor, Patrick Sabourin, Doctor in Demography
• April 13, 2021: Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta, Société de l’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick

Public Reform Document on the Modernization of the Official Languages Act

Meetings:

• April 13, 2021: Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, Officials from Canadian Heritage

Upcoming studies:

Accessing minority language education

• Text of the motion adopted on October 22, 2020: That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee study the obstacles faced by linguistic minority communities in accessing minority language education, for kindergarten to twelfth grade to postsecondary instruction in Canada; That the committee study the current realities and obstacles caused by the pandemic, and consider how jurisdictions across Canada have responded and dealt with the challenges to minority language education; That it study ways the Government of Canada can ensure the protection of linguistic minorities with regards to protecting the rights and access of right holders to receive quality education in the minority language, and; that pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request a government response to its report.

No meetings on this study have been scheduled at this time

• The committee tabled its Third Report on March 8, 2021 - Support To Educational Institutions Providing Official Language Instruction
  • Text of the Rapport: That the Committee, pursuant to section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which requires the government to guarantee minority language instruction, and further to the mandate letter of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, which highlights her duty to enhance the vitality of minority language communities, protect their institutions and support and increase bilingualism across the country, recommend that the government fulfill those obligations to support educational institutions across the country that are providing official-language instruction and enhancing the vitality of official-language minority communities; and that the Committee report the adoption of this motion to the House.

MP Joël Godin (CPC) gave notice of a motion for concurrence in this report.

Past studies:

Annual Report 2019-20 of the Commissioner of Official Languages

• Text of the motion adopted on October 22, 2020: That the Committee invite the Commissioner of Official Languages to present his latest annual report and that this meeting take place prior to November 24, 2020

Meeting:

• November 13, 2020: Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages and officials.

Main Estimates 2020-21: Vote 1 under Commissioner of Official Languages

• Text of the motion adopted on November 5, 2020: That the Committee invite the Commissioner of Official Languages to appear as part of the study on the 2020-21 Main Estimates by Friday, November 27, 2020.

Meeting:

• November 13, 2020: Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages and officials.

Motion adopted

• Text of the motion moved by Steven Blaney (CPC) and adopted unanimously on November 24, 2020: That the committee recommend to the government that it introduce its bill to modernize the Official Languages Act by December 11, 2020, and that the committee report the adoption of this motion to the House.
  • The committee presented this motion in the House on November 30, 2020.

Motion under debate

Creation a special committee on WE Charity / UNIS

• Text of the motion moved by Mario Beaulieu on November 5, 2020: That the Standing Committee on Official Languages recommend to the House the creation of a special committee to hold hearings to examine all aspects of the design and creation of the Canada Student Service Grant, including those relating to the study to review the safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest in federal government expenditure policies; government spending, WE Charity and the Canada Student Service Grant; the government’s decision to select WE Charity, an anglophone organization, to implement the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG); and the administration of the Canada Student Service Grant and WE Charity;
  1. That the committee be composed of 11 members, of which five shall be government members, four shall be from the official opposition, one shall be from the Bloc Québécois and one from the New Democratic Party;
  2. That changes in the membership of the committee shall be effective immediately after notification by the whip has been filed with the Clerk of the House;
  3. That membership substitutions be permitted, if required, in the manner provided for in Standing Order 114(2);
  4. That the members shall be named by their respective whip by depositing with the Clerk of the House the list of their members to serve on the committee no later than 3 days following the adoption of this motion by the House;
  5. That the Clerk of the House shall convene an organization meeting of the said committee no later than 5 days following the adoption of this motion by the House;
  6. That the committee be chaired by a member of the official opposition;
  7. That notwithstanding Standing Order 106(2), in addition to the Chair, there be one vice-chair from the official opposition, one vice-chair from the Bloc Québécois and one vice-chair from the New Democratic Party;
  8. That quorum of the committee be as provided for in Standing Order 118 and that the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government;
  9. That the committee be granted all of the powers of a standing committee, as provided in the Standing Orders, as well as the power to travel, accompanied by the necessary staff, inside and outside of Canada;
  10. That the committee have the power to authorize video and audio broadcasting of any or all of its proceedings;
  11. That the committee continue all of the business of the following committees: the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics; the Standing Committee on Finance; the Standing Committee on Official Languages; and the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates; and that the documents and evidence received by each of these committees be deemed to have been received by the said committee;
  12. That the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, be among the witnesses ordered to appear from time to time as the committee sees fit.

The debate on the motion is adjourned. Any Member can move to resume debate on the motion at anytime.

Work during the 43rd Parliament, 1st session

Studies at time of prorogation

Enumeration of right holders

• Text of the motion adopted on February 20, 2020: That the committee convene Statistics Canada and other witnesses on the following subjects:
  • Update by Statistics Canada on the question of the enumeration of rights holders, and of the results of the work and tests carried out on this subject in relation to the 2021 census questionnaire;
  • The steps to follow, if necessary, to ensure that the questionnaire meets all the requirements of art. 23 of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, relating to how to count the beneficiaries of the 2021 census;
  • Advantages and disadvantages of the short form vs the long form with regard to the counting of beneficiaries;
  • Other questions.

Meetings:

• March 10, 2020: Association canadienne française de l’Alberta, Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones, and Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN).
• March 12, 2020: Chief Statistician of Canada and officials from Statistics Canada.

Government’s decision to select WE CHARITY to implement the Canada Student Service Grant

• Text of the motion adopted on August 12, 2020: That the committee undertake a study on the government’s decision to select WE Charity to administer the Canada Student Service Grant;
  • That the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, be invited to appear for at least two hours in September 2020;
  • That other witnesses include, but not be limited to:
    1. the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, the Honourable Bardish Chagger;
    2. the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez;
    3. the President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Jean Yves Duclos;
    4. NATIONAL Public Relations Inc.;
    5. WE Charity; and
    6. the Commissioner of Official Languages, Raymond Théberge

There were no meetings held on this study.

Protection of linguistic minorities’ rights

• Text of the motion moved by Emmanuella Lambropoulos (LPC) and adopted on February 25, 2020: That the Committee initiate a study to examine the ways that the Government of Canada can ensure the protection of linguistic minorities with regards to protecting the rights of right holders to receive an education in the minority language and in an attempt to protect the identity and culture of the members of the Official Language minority communities; that the Committee report its findings to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response thereto.

There were no meetings held on this study.

Commissioner of Official Languages

• Text of the motion moved by Charlie Angus (NDP) and adopted on February 25, 2020: That the committee invite the Commissioner of Official Languages Raymond Théberge to report on the work of his office.

There were no meetings held on this study.

Refusal of a disproportionate number of foreign French-speaking students

• Text of the motion moved by Bernard Généreux (CPC) on March 10, 2020: That a study on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) be conducted to identify why a disproportionately high number of foreign French-speaking students who wanted to study in French-language CEGEPs and universities in Canada and Quebec were refused (51% of applicants in 2019), compared with the lower number of foreign English-speaking students who were refused (38% of applicants that same year); That the Committee examine whether there is a case of language discrimination against students from French-speaking African communities in particular, where refusal rates can exceed 80%; That the Committee study the Government of Canada’s analysis grids for admitting foreign students; and, That the Committee invite all witnesses required for its study to appear and that it draft a detailed report.

This motion was never debated.

Institutional bilingualism in Quebec

• Text of the motion put on notice by Mario Beaulieu (BQ) on February 25, 2020: Impact of the Official Languages Act on the institutional bilingualism in Quebec.

Mario Beaulieu (BQ) never moved his motion.